Labour Council Leader Jane Scullion has written to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt demanding that he delivers a fair deal for Calderdale in the upcoming Autumn Statement.
Today, 22nd November, the Chancellor will set out the government’s spending priorities and has the opportunity to reverse damaging Conservative cuts that have left many public services struggling to survive.
Since 2010 the government has repeatedly cut funding to councils, leaving an increasing number warning that they could effectively go bankrupt in the coming months. The cross-party Local Government Association have warned that a combination of rampant inflation, rising homelessness, and the increased cost of delivering services such as children’s social care mean councils are facing a £4bn funding gap by March 2025.
Commenting on the letter, Councillor Scullion said: “Calderdale deserves a fair deal. Government funding cuts have been unfairly targeted towards areas of the North of England like West Yorkshire. The Conservative government has slashed funding to Calderdale by £84.48 million in real terms since 2010, which is equivalent to 62% less funding than we received from the last Labour government.
“Despite taking every possible measure to manage our money wisely through cuts, a pandemic and cost of living crisis, unfunded pressures are pushing council finances across the country to the brink. Hard pressed local families in Calderdale are still recovering from the Conservative government’s disastrous decisions that crashed our economy. The government should take responsibility for funding the local services they badly need and deserve, rather than once again forcing local authorities to increase council tax bills.
“The Chancellor must use the Autumn Statement to deliver the fair deal for Calderdale that we deserve. If he cannot do that, the Conservatives should call a General Election and give the country the chance to vote in a new government that has a plan to give Calderdale its future back.”
ENDS
Notes
Local Government Association figures show councils in England face a funding gap of £4 billion over the next two years – a £1 billion increase since the LGA’s initial analysis in July as cost and demand pressures continue to rise. https://www.local.gov.uk/about/news/funding-gap-growing-councils-firmly-eye-inflationary-storm
For more information please contact Calderdale Labour Group on 01422 393151 or 07858 678616.